Floyd Mayweather, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, has an impressive boxing record of 50-0. Throughout his career, Mayweather showcased his exceptional defensive skills, ring intelligence, and ability to wear down opponents mentally and physically.
In 2004, Mayweather moved up to the 140-pound division after conquering the super featherweight and lightweight divisions. He faced DeMarcus Corley, a former world champion at the weight and a seasoned fighter. Despite Corley's experience, Mayweather made the fight look easy, displaying his superior boxing skills and outclassing his opponent.
Mayweather defeated Corley by points, but he faced a significant challenge in the fourth round when he absorbed a powerful right hand that left him staggering against the ropes.
However, it was in the eighth round when Mayweather showcased his dominance by taking control of the centre of the ring and taunting his opponent.
After landing a series of unanswered shots to Corley's face, Mayweather continued his offensive onslaught. He momentarily paused as the referee intervened to halt the action.
In a close face-to-face encounter, Mayweather directed these words to Corley: "Stop complaining and engage in the fight."
Mayweather has often faced criticism for his defensive style, which is considered a cardinal sin in boxing.
This was characteristic of Mayweather's mental warfare tactics, trying to unsettle his opponents and gain a psychological advantage. Mayweather went on to knock Corley down twice and secured a unanimous decision victory.
Following this win, Mayweather continued to excel in the ring. He became the super lightweight world champion two fights later by defeating the legendary Arturo Gatti. Mayweather was yet to enter his prime and had more high-profile fights on the horizon, including bouts against boxing icons like Oscar de la Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Canelo Alvarez.
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After retiring from professional boxing with an undefeated record, Mayweather has occasionally returned for exhibition matches and to display his wealth. These exhibitions have seen him face various opponents, including Japanese MMA fighters, YouTubers like Logan Paul and Deji, a reality TV star, and even a former sparring partner.
Mayweather's choice to participate in these exhibition fights reflects his desire to stay active in the boxing world and capitalize on lucrative opportunities. While these matches may not hold the same weight as his professional career, they allow him to maintain his presence and showcase his skills to fans.
In his next exhibition bout, Mayweather will take on the son of former crime boss John Gotti, who has a record of 2-0 as a boxer and MMA experience. This matchup presents another intriguing opportunity for Mayweather to engage in an exhibition that captures public interest.
Overall, Floyd Mayweather's boxing record speaks for itself, with an impressive 50-0 tally. His ability to wear opponents down both mentally and physically, combined with his exceptional defensive skills, elevated him to the status of a boxing legend. While his post-retirement exhibitions may not carry the same weight as his professional bouts, they continue to attract attention and keep Mayweather in the spotlight.
DeMarcus Corley recently reflected on his fight with Floyd Mayweather before Mayweather's match against Robert Guerrero in 2013. As the first southpaw Mayweather had faced, Corley acknowledged the difficulty of matching Mayweather's incredible hand speed. He revealed that Mayweather had developed a tactic of breaking down southpaw opponents, starting with targeting the body. Corley, an experienced fighter with 85 fights, last competed in March 2021.
In a separate event, Corley made his debut in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) against Reggie Barnett Jr. However, Corley admitted to quitting during the fight due to a fear of getting hurt. Despite acknowledging Barnett's skill and landing some good shots, Corley found himself exhausted in the fast-paced environment. His corner ultimately stopped the fight. Corley expressed appreciation for the experience and mentioned the possibility of participating in BKFC again.
Corley's reflections provide insight into Mayweather's encounter with a southpaw opponent and highlight Mayweather's hand speed and adaptability. Corley's experiences add context to Mayweather's impressive boxing record and shed light on the challenges and tactics employed by the boxing legend.